I find the metaphor of ‘Dream Catcher’ quite fascinating in the context of the role played by an ‘Appreciative Coach’ for deep transformational coaching. The legend has it that a ‘Dream Catcher’ is a magical web that allows only the good dreams (aka … Client’s strengths, hopes, aspirations, empowering beliefs, helpful memories etc.) to enter through its sacred centre-hole, whereas the bad dreams (aka … Client’s anxieties, doubts, fears, pains, bad memories etc.) get entangled in the threads & the twigs on the sides, only to die with the first ray of the Sun (aka … Client’s expanding awareness and insightful self-emergence).
Among some others, my coaching practice has two sacred norms that inspire me to stay – (a) mindful of my own emerging dynamics and keep emptying myself; and (b) inspired by the metaphor of ‘Dream Catcher’ in my endeavour to be an ‘Appreciative Coach’. It helps me stay curious, offer appreciative presence, generative listening, facilitative questioning etc. AI principles are my guideposts in this endeavour …
Poetic Principle … the belief that “we can choose what we study” makes it easy and elegant to help the Client reframe and perceive their situation with new eyes.
Simultaneity Principle … the belief “inquiry is intervention” inspires such coaching questions that affirm & amplify strengths, potential & possibility-focus.
Anticipatory Principle … the belief that “images inspire action” helps the Client focus on his/her affirmative dreams and aspirations.
Constructionist Principle … the belief that “words create worlds” helps the Coach paraphrase & reframe Client’s narrative into a self-empowering one.
In what way are you being the ‘Dream Catcher’ for your clients.
Share your views & stories.
With Appreciation & Light
Neena Verma, PhD, PCC